Geckos can run up smooth vertical surfaces but, until recently, no one knew how they did it. Looking at the structure of gecko feet at the nanoscale and measuring the tiny forces involved showed that gecko feet stick mechanically, not chemically. This discovery lead to the development of the world's first adhesive that is dry, self-cleaning, reversible, and can even work in the vacuum of outer space. Designs based on gecko feet are being used to create robots that can run up walls, and this adhesive could bring changes to the manufacture of everything from home electronics to car brakes. At this Science Pub we will talk about how the study of mechanisms and evolution of animal locomotion has lead to biologically inspired materials and machines.

Kellar Autumn, Ph.D., professor of biology at Lewis & Clark College since 1998, does research that has grown into a new field of study at the interface between biology, physics, and materials science. He has authored over 40 scientific papers and his research is featured in textbooks, encyclopedias, and popular books including The Nanotech Pioneers: Where Are They Taking Us? Every major television network has covered his work, as have hundreds of newspaper, magazine, and Internet articles worldwide.

$10 for nonmembers - get tickets at the door, or buy tickets online FREE to members $7.50 for 9:00 p.m. laser show—Electrolyte

Here's your chance to shoot off water rockets, concoct chemical creations, and explore the wonders of OMSI with no kids in sight! Enjoy a glass of wine while learning about robots, tornados, or fossils. Have a pint of local beer while probing the puzzles of our newest exhibit, Mindbender Mansion. Talk to a distiller about the science behind brandy, or taste the hints of maple, vanilla, and dark chocolate in sustainably harvested coffee.

OMSI After Dark is an opportunity for the 21-and-over crowd to explore the museum in a child-free environment. Visitors will also be able to taste and learn the science behind food and beverage favorites with local artisans, such as Caffe Vita, Full Sail Brewing, and Clear Creek Distillery, and Moonstruck Chocolate. Appetizers and a cash bar will also be available for those who want more than just a taste!

At 9:00 p.m., join us in the OMSI Planetarium for a special 45-minute laser show—Electrolyte! Check out brilliant laser imagery choreographed to music from the Chemical Brothers, Beastie Boys, Daft Punk, Nine Inch Nails, Prodigy, and more. Cost: $7.50. Tickets available at the door.

Do your holiday shopping in the OMSI Science Store and enjoy a 10% discount during OMSI After Dark!

[Featured in The Oregonian on 2009-01-13 ]

Richard Taylor sees a pattern. The University of Oregon professor of physics is leading the way with internationally recognized research into fractals—curious patterns found in nature that repeat themselves. Taylor's startling discoveries show that these patterns-within-patterns may significantly reduce stress and have interesting implications for psychology, medicine, and even the semiconductor industry. Taylor has applied his studies to art, showing how fractal patterns in the work of abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock can distinguish a real Pollock from a fake. Come hear about this amazing intersection of art and science.

Richard Taylor, PhD, is an associate professor in physics, psychology, and art at the University of Oregon. Transforming lives by erasing academic boundaries might be why Taylor was named Outstanding Teacher in Higher Education for 2005 by the Oregon Academy of Science.

Treat yourself to childfree, brain-building science fun at OMSI After Dark! Check out live demos, a planetarium show, Science On a Sphere, SAMSON the T. rex, new featured exhibits, and old favorites. Sample tasty snacks and sweets along with beer, wine, and craft soda, and talk to regional food and beverage artisans about the science behind them. The OMSI Market Cafe will be open with a special dinner menu and cash bars will also be available for those who want more than just a taste! It's geeks gone wild! (21-and-over only.)

The 7 minute landing of the Curiosity Rover that will happen on Aug 5th.

The amazing sequence for landing is demonstrated in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzqdoXwLBT8

Doors open at 9pm. "Screens in the Auditorium and Planetarium will display a non-stop live feed from NASA TV."

Find Your Next Tech Job at TechfestNW

Looking for a job in tech? The Talent Fair at TFNW is here to help connect you with the right opportunities at the right time.

From August 15-16 at OMSI, come meet, mingle and network with some of the Pacific NW’s best employers.

The following companies will be in attendance and are aggressively hiring in the field of digital craft and looking for qualified candidates: programmers, developers, engineers, coders, brand strategists, and more.

Companies Hiring: Act-On AppNexus Aruba CorSource CrowdCompass Daimler Elemental Idealist iGrafx Incomm Digital Solutions Jama Monsoon Commerce Multnomah County Nike Puppet Labs Simple Smarsh Treehouse Urban Airship

Partners: Code Guild Epicodus OHSU Oregon Tech OSU College of Business Portland Code School PSU School of Engineering

Cost is only $10 http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/586973

Join us on January 28th for an evening of erudite entertainment at OMSI After Dark: Sugar Sweet Science. After Dark features live demos, exhibitions, snacks, beer, wine, sweets, and other foods. OMSI recommends purchasing a ticket ($13 for non-members) in advance online.

Meet up at 5:30 at nearby Bunk Bar or catch us at the event after 6.

Also check out our Meetup group and Facebook group.

Are you a startup with big ambitions to solve a meaningful problem for our world? From teachers to transportation or food to finance, we want to help. We’ll share pitch-coaching, industry advice, and connect you with the right people to scale in your industry, and there’s $175,000 in cash and over $1,000,000 in potential investments. Apply if you’re up for the Challenge.

(NOTE: This is the application deadline for the pitch competition to be held December 10, 2015 at OMSI Empirical Theater)

Are you a startup with big ambitions to solve a meaningful problem for our world? From teachers to transportation or food to finance, we want to help. We’ll share pitch-coaching, industry advice, and connect you with the right people to scale in your industry, and there’s $175,000 in cash and over $1,000,000 in potential investments. Apply if you’re up for the Challenge.

(NOTE: This is the application deadline for the pitch competition to be held December 10, 2015 at OMSI Empirical Theater)

Each year 1776, a global incubator and venture fund, hosts a worldwide tournament called the Challenge Cup. Together, with our Startup Federation partners, Revolution, the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and over 50 incubator hosts around the world, we’ll discover the most promising, highly scalable startups that are poised to solve the major challenges of our time.

Startups advance through three rounds: Local, Regional and Global Finals. All of the regional winners and a host of wild cards will be invited to participate in the Challenge Cup Global Finals next June in Washington, D.C. There, they’ll compete for over $1 million in prizes, as well as spend time with the investors, customers, media and other key connections that can help them succeed on a global scale.

Join local host, PIE as we bring some of the most promising new startups to stage at the OMSI Empirical Theater.

Ignite Portland is an exciting, fast-paced, night of presentations where people can share their passions and burning ideas. The rules are fairly simple: 20 sides x 15 seconds per slide (auto-advancing) = 5 minutes of awesome. Presentations can be on nearly any topic, so long as they can teach, enlighten, or inspire us.

We’re very pleased to announce our speaker lineup for Ignite Portland 13! The following people will be sharing their burning ideas on November 2nd at OMSI’s Empirical Theater:

Julie Williams: How Buying Nothing Changes Everything Lillian Karabaic: Get on your Red Shoes and Finance the Blues Drew Anderson: 2020 Vision – You, your bots. Stephen Green: A Case for Spending Small* Mason West: Everything I know about Experience Design I learned from Magic: The Gathering Logan Kleier: 4 Reasons to Bootstrap, Not VC, Your Startup George Mandis: A Year Like Any Other (Just Somewhere Else) Jessica M. Frey: From 0 to Dancing in 300 Seconds (a.k.a. 5 minutes) Tyler Sticka: The Best Video Game Console You (Probably) Never Owned Charlie Levenson: Basic Rules for Success in Development and Business Clarissa Littler: Is Physics Computable or: Can I 3D Print a Galaxy? Evan Dumas: Have You Run Out of F#cks to Give? Henry Abel: Top Five Reasons Why Every Responsible Parent Should Immediately Buy Their Teenage Daughter A Motorcycle. Carolynn Duncan: Life Lessons as a Mzungu in Kenya, Africa Mo Nishiyama: Enjoy the Silence Linda Resca: For the Love of Care-giving Simon Tam: 5 Life Lessons Learned from Touring in a Punk Rock Band